The County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency has seen an increase in passenger trips made in Fiscal 2022 as compared to previous fiscal years resulting from the implementation of the 2018 Transit and Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan and the use of grant funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which allow free fares on Hele-On bus and Hele-On Kākoʻo paratransit services.

From July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, the Hele-On transit system collectively transported 588,416 passenger trips. In the same period last fiscal year, Hele-On had 325,049 passenger trips. In addition, HIBIKE, the bike-share system operating islandwide, carried 23,466 bicycle trips.

John Andoh, Mass Transit Administrator, and General Manager, said that about 473,083 passenger trips were made on the Hele-On bus alone, and significant ridership gains were made after the transit system went fare-free in March of 2022.

The free fares program costs the MTA roughly $560,000, of which $4,500,000 in Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and $1,879,773 in American Rescue Plan Act from the FTA will continue to cover each year through December 31, 2025, with no local match required.

The Hawaiʻi County Council approved the program in February of 2022.

Hele-On also is using the grant funds to cover the implementation of the new transit service network as planned in the 2018 Transit & Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan, which increased public transit access in the Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Puna, and Kaʻū areas of the island with later service, more frequent service, and added Sunday and Holiday services.